Nonprofit news roundup, 09.06.13

Schools in Charlotte and Durham will benefit from investment in Boston-based Citizen Schools that includes $650,000 from Cisco for programs throughout the U.S. and $250,000 from the Biogen Idec Foundation for programs in North Carolina and Massachusetts.

Funding from the Biogen Idec Foundation includes $125,000 to support science, technology, engineering and math programs, or STEM, at Lowe’s Grove Middle School and Neal Middle School, both in Durham.

Biogen Idec this fall will open a new community lab at its office in Research Triangle Park that will allow students from the two schools to work side by side with Biogen Idec scientists starting next spring, conducting experiments using the same equipment and tools the scientists use to discover and create new medicine.

Cisco grants will fund STEM apprenticeships in seven states, including $45,000 for schools in Charlotte and Durham.

Since 2009, over 125 Cisco employees have taught 65 apprenticeship classes in middle schools in low-income communities in seven states, mainly focused on STEM, in fields such as robotics, web design, game design and coding, and networking.

Citizen Schools partners with middle schools nationally to extend the school day for children in underserved communities through academic mentoring and skill-building apprenticeship.

Founded in 1995, Citizen Schools will serve over 5,300 students throughout the U.S. this academic year, including over 450 students in North Carolina.

Stokes named director of college alumnae relations at Salem College

Jennifer “Jenny” Stokes, former director of marketing and communications at United Way of Greater Greensboro, has been named director of college alumnae relations at Salem College, effective September 16.

Stokes holds a bachelor of arts degree in sociology with a minor in business administration from Salem, and a masters of public affairs in nonprofit management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Bell joining Institute for the Environment as development director

John Bell, development director at Conservation Trust for North Carolina, has been named director of development at the Institute for the Environment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bell, who begins his new job October 15, succeeds David Greer, who left the Institute in March after just over a year in the job, to become development officer at The Morehead-Cain Foundation.

Hunt Institute names Howes director of finance and development

Laura Howes, former senior program manager at the Partnership for Public Service in Washington, D.C., has joined the Hunt Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as director of finance and development.

Domestic violence summit set for Charlotte

Safe Alliance and ENOUGH will host its third annual Domestic Violence at the Workplace Summit on October 11 in Charlotte.

The event, to be held at The Employers Association at 3020 Arrowood Road, aims to help employers measure the impact that domestic violence could be taking on their bottom line, and provide them with tools to address the issue and encourage victim employees and bystanders to come forward.

An estimated 20 percent of all adults will be a victim of domestic violence at some point in their lives, and experts believe that intimate partner violence costs U.S. businesses up to $5 billion year. Research by the Centers for Disease Control in 2003 found roughly eight million paid workdays a year were lost as a result of intimate partner violence.

Charlotte YWCA program has housed over 40 families

Families Together, a 10-unit townhome program that YWCA Central Carolina in Charlotte launched in 2008, has housed over 40 homeless families, including two former participants who recently purchased their own home.

Participants in the program, which was inspired by Christ Episcopal Church and supported by donors and friends, have access to a range of services, including case management; computer instruction; education and job training programs; career counseling; financial planning services; and social activities facilitated by volunteers.

Methodist Home raises $114,000

Methodist Home for Children in Raleigh raised $114,000 at Wilmington’s Epicurean Evening on August 22. The seventh annual event drew 500 guests. The top award, the Copper Kettle, went to the Wilmington Convention Center.

Junior League of Greensboro accepting grant proposals

The Junior League of Greensboro is accepting project proposals for 2014-15 to create a path for academic achievement at Cone Elementary School.

To be considered, proposals must serve students at Cone Elementary or the broader Cone Elementary Community, particularly in the areas academic progress, literacy, parent involvement, basic needs, health and wellness.

The Junior League will host a question-and-answer session on September 18 at 6 p.m. at its office at 3101 West Friendly Ave. to provide information about its partnership with Cone Elementary, focus areas for impact at Cone, and the request-for-proposal process.

Proposals are due by October 15. Organizations meeting the requirements will be asked to present their proposals on February 8, 2014.

PLM Families Together to hold annual fundraiser

PLM Families Together in Raleigh will hold its annual fundraising event, Homeward Journey 2013: Moving Families Forward, on October 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Brownstone Doubletree Hotel at 1707 Hillsborough St. Proceeds will fund programs to move families in Wake County from homelessness to independence.

Health Underwriters support Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Triad Association of Health Underwriters raised $3,900 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation at the Association’s annual golf tournament on May 16, 2013 at Cardinal Country Club in Greensboro.

Salvation Army of Greensboro opens family store

The Salvation Army of Greensboro has opened a new Family Store at 2100 North Elm St., in the former Rite Aid building.